SportsTurf provides current, practical and technical content on issues relevant to sports turf managers, including facilities managers. Most readers are athletic field managers from the professional level through parks and recreation, universities.
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/141613
Facility&Operations grease sparingly and wipe any excess off of all fittings, bearings, chains, etc. REMOVING FOREIGN OBJECTS AND CONTAMINANTS Chewing gum can best be removed by using either ice or an aerosol to freeze the gum, which can then be chipped or broken off the turf fibers. If gum has been smeared across fibers, peanut butter will soften and breakdown the gum so that it can be wiped off. Sunflower seeds, peanut shells, pistachio shells, etc. should be removed as soon as possible by using a hand held or back pack blower. To minimize or eliminate the movement of infill, do not point nozzle directly into the turf. Use minimal throttle to decrease the volume of air. Metal objects should be picked up by a magnet that is attached to grooming and brushing equipment. Moss, mold, or algae may appear in underutilized areas of the synthetic turf, particularly if it is in shade and damp. Specialty products are available to treat these organisms and fungi; consult your field builder. If moss, mold, or algae are allowed to harvest and spread, the field may need to be rejuvenated. Weeds are easily removed by hand if the infestation has not become too excessive. Treatments are also available. USE CONSIDERATIONS It is very important for a field owner to understand that certain activities, use and other circumstances may impact the field quality, wear and tear, appearance, warranty and performance of a synthetic turf field. If any doubt exists, the field builder should be consulted. The following are some of the suggested considerations for the field owner: • Make sure in advance any maintenance equipment, personnel, techniques, repairs and materials comply with the field builder's specifications and warranty. • Verify that the design, synthetic turf system and maintenance specifications will result in the desired performance outcomes prior to selecting your provider. • Monitor the performance of your field throughout its useful life with periodic field testing and frequent inspections. • The following may damage the syn- 32 SportsTurf | July 2013 thetic turf: accidents, vandalism, spiked shoes, animals, wire brushes, fires, fireworks, floods, chemical reactions, acts of God, the use of dry cleaning fluids or improper cleaning methods, high pressure sprays exceeding 500 psi, storage of heavy materials on the field; non-approved infill materials, and non-approved artificial lights. • Certain activities may damage the synthetic turf such as bicycle traffic, track and field events, golf activities, concerts, etc. Special events and activities should be reviewed with the field builder before the event occurs to ensure that damage is not done. You should also consider consulting with a company that sells field protection. • The quality of the sub-base will directly affect the appearance and performance of the synthetic turf system. Select a base contractor only after carefully checking synthetic turf experience and capabilities. Significant importance should be assigned to grade, stone quality, drainage, etc. If the base is compromised, then the surface will be compromised. • Footwear. Suitable footwear should always be used. Metal spikes should be prohibited and cleats are preferred. Flat-soled rubber shoes greatly intensify the wear and tear on the synthetic turf. • Use patterns. It is very important to spread the field use to various locations on the field to prevent uneven or accelerated wear in certain areas. • Vehicles. Do not park vehicles on the field, especially in the heat of the day, or leave vehicles on a wet or hot field for long periods of time. Engine exhausts should not be faced down toward the playing field, and a hot muffler or exhaust pipe should not touch the surface. Use lighter vehicles with LGP (Low Ground Pressure) tires with round edges to prevent rutting. Do not use cleated or traction tires. Heavy vehicles (over 300 pounds) should have a maximum tire pressure of 35 psi. Make wide, not sharp, turfs, and only when the vehicle is in motion. All vehicles should move at slow speeds. All vehicles should move at a slow speed. Avoid abrupt and sudden braking, as well as sudden acceleration or spinning of the wheels, especially on wet surfaces. Consult the equipment manufacturer to learn load limits. All vehicles must be checked before use on the field to determine if they are leaking oil or gas. If so, they should be repaired before entry onto the field. • Concentrated heavy use protection. Stage or other set-ups for special events or activities, such as graduations, are normal. Proper field protection of the synthetic turf must be provided to prevent damaging it. Use plywood, interlocking plastic panels or similar weight distributing materials under all chairs and tables; consult the field builder or a field protection company. Use field protection that does not have a dimensional profile, e.g., corrugation, because the profile will transfer onto the turf and require heavy grooming to remove. It is imperative that no anchoring spikes, posts or footing be driven into the turf. Once the field protection is removed, the area should be groomed and swept with a magnet to remove any misplaced or dropped nails, screws, etc. • Helicopter landings may be necessary to remove an injured player, for example; the rotor wash will likely cause infill to be displaced. As soon as possible evaluate the area and groom or brush as needed. • Protect the synthetic turf as needed with approved tarps when nearby renovations, e.g., running track recoats or installations, cleaning or painting of bleachers, construction or repairs to lighting, renovations of adjacent natural turf fields, etc., may cause harm to the synthetic turf. Contact the field builder for a protection recommendation. Improper plastic protection will cause heat damage. • Prevent heavy equipment from accessing the field or, if necessary, cover the field with appropriate protection to distribute the weight of the equipment. DISCLAIMER Due to the unique situation of each synthetic turf installation, other considerations may arise that are not addressed by these guidelines. Such considerations should not be ignored or minimized, but should be addressed by your field builder or industry specialists. This document does not in any way, imply, suggest or guarantee that a warranty, environmental, or performance issue could not arise if these guidelines are followed. These voluntary guidelines are not standards, and are not to be used as the basis for warranty or other claims. n www.sportsturfonline.com